Fifth-wheel



(No Model.)

F. L. EZELL.

. FIFTH WHEEL. No. 254,295. Patented Feb. 28,1882.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

FRANCIS 1-. EZELL, OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

FIFTH-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 254,295, dated February 28, 1882.

Application filed October 31, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS L. EZELL, of Nashville, in the county of Davidson and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fifth-Wheels for Vehieles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of my improved fifth-wheel and its appurtenances, and Fig. 2 is avertical cross-section of the same at right angles to Fig. 1.

' Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the figures.

Myinvention contemplates an improved construction of the fifth wheels of vehicles, as hereinafter more fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the annexed drawings, A represents the spring-seat, which is made of steel or malleable iron, and slightly curved or eoncaved on its top to fit the spring B. The lower part of the spring-seat is of circular shape, forming a flat disk, A, which is provided with an annular downwardly'extending rim or flange, a. The part A A is cast with a hollow center, I), octagonal in cross-section, which reaches down into a cylindrical extension, 0, cast upon the under side of disk A, and provided with a central bolt-hole, c, for the insertion of the king-bolt D, the head D of which is octagonal to fit the chamber b.

E is a leather washer, which is rammed down upon the head of the king-bolt, the space above the washer in the chamber b being filled with cotton-waste and oil, axle-grease, or any other suitable lubricant, which may be fed into the chamber through an opening, I), at its upper end, and escapes through a series of small holes, h just above the washer, which forms the bottom of the chamber, thus lubrieating the eontact surfaces of the circulardisks A and F, which constitute the fifth-wheel.

The part F has a central oylindical bore or recess to fit the downwardly-extending hollow cylinder (3 of disk A, and is bored through to admit of the insertion of the king-bolt D. This part F is east with lateral wings F F, which are rounded off or arched on top and have a flat bottom, which is letinto the capM of the axle N, and held firmlyin place by clips or equivalent fastening devices G G.

By reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings it will be seen that in the back of the casting A 'A is a mortise, A, for the insertion of the front end of the reach or coupling-pole L, which is held in place by the bolt K.

H is a brace, which extends from the end of the king-bolt up to the under side of the reach, to which it is fastened by the bolt I.

If desired, this brace may be bent parallel to the reach, as shown at H, and continued back to the hind axle.

It will be observed that this device is selflubricating, and is exceedingly simple and compact in its construction. The downwardly-extending pivot-cylinder G effectually prevents rocking or oscillating motion of the top plate, A, upon its bearing-plate F, the flange a of the former preventing ingress of dust or dirt between the two. As the king-bolt D does not turn in, but with, the part A A O, the nut at its lower end is not apt to work loose, and the part F, with its side wings, F F, addsgreatly to the strength and solidity of the axle.

The bracing of the device in the manner described insures its durability and stability, while the comparatively small diameter of the wearing-surfaces A and F reduces the friction to a minimum.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. The combination of the circular disk A, 7 having flange a, and cast in one piece with 90 the spring-seat A, and hollow cylinder 0, circular bearing-plate F, having wings or arms F F, and recessed centrally to receive the cylinder O, king-bolt D, and washer E, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.

2. The combined fifth-wheeland spring-seat or head-block, comprising the OOHGELVQG. top A and flanged plate or disk A, having central recess, 1), provided with apertures 1) b and 5 hollow cylinder 0, cast in one piece, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS L. EZELL.

Witnesses:

EVERETT B. BIGLEY, BOYD LOWE. 

